Jobs seen in plan by Kulongoski
From our weekly issue dated November 12, 2008
Gov. Kulongoski on Monday, Nov. 10 presented his transportation plan, The Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009, to the Oregon House and Senate Transportation Committees.
The act 2009 invests $1 billion every biennium into the state transportation system, creating 2,100 jobs annually during the first five years. The plan includes dollars for rural counties hit hardest by the scheduled sunset of the federal forest payments.
It also includes policies to reduce vehicle-miles-traveled in urban areas, a dedicated fund for non-highway transportation investments, and a new transportation utility commission.
The governor’s “comprehensive transportation plan will create thousands of jobs, establish sustainable long-term funding for Oregon’s statewide transportation system and address greenhouse gas emissions in transportation construction and planning, according to a statement from his office.
“One of the most important investments we can make during a slow economy is in public works projects, such as transportation,” Kulongoski said. “We have a long bipartisan tradition of investing in transportation in good times and in bad times. Building roads, bridges and public transit is good for the economy and our citizens by putting people back to work.”
Last year, Kulongoski convened an advisory committee composed of business leaders, legislators, local and state officials, transportation stakeholders and sustainability and land-use experts to develop recommendations for a comprehensive transportation package for the 2009 legislative session. The recommendations centered on how to meet immediate needs and provided guidance for future transportation investments.
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“Oregon’s transportation system is not currently equipped to respond to the needs of a global economy, increases in population, rising energy costs, and our obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” the governor continued. “The Jobs and Transportation Act outlines a strategy that reaches statewide, creates jobs, provides for continued investment over the long-term and helps reduce carbon emissions.”
The act also recommends a series of funding options, including bonding, a new vehicle title fee, and a path to transition away from the gasoline tax as the central funding source for transportation.
“This legislation is critical to Oregon’s economy today and for the long-term,” the governor continued. “It is the most robust, sustainable, strategic and green transportation package in Oregon history – and the time to enact it is now.”
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